Home Gym Vs Gym Membership (Costs and Comparison)

With the new year comes new resolutions. For many people, that means finally getting in shape and starting to live a healthier lifestyle. But what’s the best way to achieve that goal? Is it better to invest in a home gym or sign up for a gym membership?

Most people don’t have the time or money to go to a gym on a regular basis. They may try to go for a few weeks or months, but eventually, they stop going. It’s hard to tell, but it’s the truth.

There are a few reasons for this: it’s expensive, it’s time-consuming, and it’s inconvenient. There are pros and cons to both options, which will be discussed in this article. In the end, it’s up to the individual to decide what works best for them.

Pros of Home Gym

There are plenty of advantages of having a home gym.

It’s time-saving: The main advantage is that you can save time by working out at home instead of driving to the gym, which can be a significant time-commitment.

Freedom: Another significant advantage is that you have complete control over your environment when you work out at home. You can set the temperature to whatever you want, you can play your own music, and you don’t have to deal with other people if you don’t want to. This allows you to create an optimal environment for your workout.

It’s costs saving: A third advantage of having a home gym is that it’s usually more affordable than a gym membership. Gym memberships can be expensive, and if you don’t go often, it’s a waste of money. With a home gym, you only have to pay for the equipment once, and then you can use it as much as you want.

No waiting for equipment: Finally, another big pro of working out at home is that you don’t have to worry about crowds or waiting for equipment. At busy gyms, it can be hard to get on the machines or in the classes you want, but at home, you never have to wait or fight for space.

Convenience: Another benefit of working out at home is that you can do it at any time that is convenient for you. There is no need to rush to the gym before it closes or to fit a class into your busy schedule. You can work out in the morning, in the evening, or even on weekends.

No more fighting and waiting for equipment: At a traditional gym, you often have to wait for other people to finish using the equipment before you can start your workout. This can be frustrating and time-consuming. With at-home workouts, you can work out without having to wait for anyone. You can use whatever equipment you have available or go for a run or a walk outside.

Privacy: At-home workouts also offer privacy. You can work out without having to worry about anyone seeing you or judging you. This can be especially helpful if you are self-conscious about your body or your fitness level.

Cons of Home Gym

Despite the many advantages of home gyms, there are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before you make your purchase. These include:

Maintenance and repairs: One of the main cons of having a home gym is the cost of equipment. While you can find some decent quality workout equipment for a reasonable price, the truth is that to get a really good setup, you’re going to have to spend some money. Additionally, even if you are able to find good quality equipment at a reasonable price, you still have to factor in the cost of maintenance and repairs.

Take space: Another issue with home gyms is that they can take up a lot of space. If you live in a small home or apartment, finding enough room for a complete workout setup can be difficult. Even if you have enough space, setting up and taking down your equipment can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Lack of motivation: Finally, working out at home can be lonely and lack motivation. If you’re used to working out in a group setting or with a personal trainer, it can be tough to stay motivated when working out alone. Additionally, without someone there to push you and motivate you, it’s easy to give up or take shortcuts on your exercises.

Limited variety: Home gyms typically offer a limited selection of equipment and exercises, which can get boring after awhile. If you’re looking for a more varied workout, a commercial gym may be a better option.

Family Distraction: If you have young children at home, you may find it challenging to focus on your workout with them running around. Commercial gyms usually have child-care facilities, which can allow you to focus on your workout.

Pros of gym membership:

The social aspect: When you become a member of a gym, you also become part of a community. You’ll see the same people working out day after day, and you may even make some friends. There’s also a sense of camaraderie that comes from being part of a group.

Childcare services: Many gyms offer childcare services while you work out. This can be a godsend if you don’t have family or friends who can watch your kids on a regular basis.

A variety of equipment and classes: When you join a gym, you have access to all sorts of workout equipment, from treadmills and ellipticals to free weights and machines. And if you get bored with your workout routine, many gyms offer exercise classes, like yoga, spinning, and kickboxing.

Focus: Gyms provide a space and environment that is dedicated to fitness and health. This can be helpful for those who need to stay focused on their workout routine.

Cons of gym membership

Expensive: Gym memberships can be quite expensive, particularly if you choose to sign up for a premium membership at a high-end gym. In addition to the monthly fee, you may also be required to pay an annual fee or a sign-up fee.

Hard to cancel a membership: Another downside of having a gym membership is that you’re generally locked into a contract, which can be difficult to cancel if you decide you no longer want to use the gym. Additionally, even if you do cancel your contract, you may still be required to pay a cancellation fee.

Waiting for equipments: One of the other downsides of being a member of a commercial gym is that they are often extremely crowded, especially during peak hours. This can make it challenging to get in a good workout as you may have to wait for machines or weights.

Time spend on travelling: For those who live close to a gym, travelling time may be fine. However, for those who live further away, travelling time can be a significant factor in deciding whether or not to join a gym. In some cases, the time spent travelling to and from the gym may outweigh the benefits of joining a gym.

Gym Membership Vs Home Gym Cost

The cost of a gym membership can vary greatly depending on the location, amenities, and type of contract you sign up for. On the other hand, the cost of setting up a home gym is a bit more straightforward.

In this section, we’ll compare the two options in terms of cost to help you decide which is right for you.

Commercial gym costs

Gym memberships can range from $10 per month to over $100 per month. The most basic gyms may only offer access to cardio and weight equipment, while more expensive gyms will offer classes, personal training, and a variety of other amenities.

The average cost of a gym membership in the United States is about $50. Let’s do a simple calculation without considering their initial fees and travel expenses:

$50 x 12 months = $600

Let’s say

$600 x 4 years = $2,400

Home Gym Cost

If you’re like most people, the gym is one of your least favorite places to be. It’s crowded, it’s smelly, and it’s expensive. So why not ditch the gym membership and create your own home gym?

The cost of a home gym will vary depending on what kind of equipment you want to buy. But even if you splurge on the latest and most excellent machines, you’ll still come out ahead financially compared to paying for a gym membership month after month. Of course, the upfront cost of setting up a home gym can be daunting.

But if you break it down into smaller purchases over time, it won’t seem so bad. And once you have your own space to work out in, you’ll never have to worry about fighting for a treadmill or weights again! So how much does a typical home gym cost?

Here’s a breakdown of some standard equipment items and their prices:

Treadmill: $500-$2000

Elliptical machine: $200-$1000

Exercise bike: $100-$600

Free weights: $100-$300

Weight machine: $200-$1000

Total: $1,000 upto $5,000

As you can see, the cost of setting up a home gym can range widely depending on your budget and what kinds of activities you want to do. But no matter how much money you spend, having a home gym will always be cheaper than paying for a monthly membership at a traditional facility.

So which option is cheaper in the long run?

It depends on how often you use your gym membership or home gym equipment. If you only hit the gym once or twice per week, then a monthly gym membership would likely be cheaper than setting up your own home gym (assuming you don’t go crazy with high-end equipment purchases). But if you’re someone who exercises regularly or even daily, then investing in your own home gym could save you money in the long run since there’s no monthly fee associated with it.

The bottom line

Both options have their pros and cons, so it really comes down to your personal preference. If you like the social aspect of a gym and the motivation of working out with others, then a gym membership may be a better option for you. However, if you prefer to workout in the privacy of your own home or you have a more flexible schedule, then a home gym may be a better fit. Ultimately, the best option is the one that you will actually use and stick with in the long run.

FAQs

What Percentage of Gym Memberships Go Completely Unused?

According to a recent study, approximately 30% of gym memberships go unused. This is a significant number, considering that the average gym membership costs around $50 per month. There are a variety of reasons why people may sign up for a gym membership but never actually use it.

For some, the motivation to get in shape quickly fades and they forget about their membership. For others, life gets busy and they would like more time to make it to the gym. And then there are those who sign up for a gym membership with every intention of using it regularly but then find that they don’t enjoy working out or feel uncomfortable in the environment.

Whatever the reason may be, there are quite a few people out there who are paying for gym memberships that they never use.